How To Start Digital Marketing With No Experience

So, you’re interested in digital marketing, but don’t know where to start? I got you.

When first looking into digital marketing, I was so overwhelmed with the search results that I had closed my laptop with no hope. I wished someone just broke it down into achievable steps that were meant for beginner digital marketers just trying to start. And I promised myself that once I figured it out, I would share those steps to any beginner that is interested.

Digital marketing is all about building connections, telling stories in a way that resonates with your audience and most importantly, providing value. Whether you’re starting digital marketing as a complete beginner with intentions of it becoming your next side hustle, or dreaming of quitting your job, these are my exact steps on how to get started.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Define Your “Why” and Your Audience

Most of the time, the first step is often overlooked because it seems so obvious. Let me be the one to tell you that once you know your “why” and exactly who you’re speaking to, you’ll fall back on it quite often. Think of it as the foundation to your brand.
I mean think about it… when you’re stuck, what do you do? You go back to the roots of your brand to gain momentum back.

Here’s how I find my “why”

Why do you want to do digital marketing? Are you looking to promote your products, share your expertise, or help others?
What excites me about starting?
Who am I trying to inspire?
What problem am I solving for my ideal audience? What does the transformation look like?
What are my core values?

Pro Tip: Create a simple “audience persona” with details about their age, interests, challenges, and aspirations. This will be your guiding light for all your marketing efforts.

Step 2: Build a Personal or Business Brand

Digital marketing starts with your brand. Whether it’s you as a person or your business, your brand is your identity online. This was one of the most difficult parts of starting for me which is why I decided to take a course on the topic. And I’m soooo thankful I did. Here are a few things I learned:

Decide on your niche. This is something that yes it’s important, but it’s not the end-all. Your niche can adjust as you grow.
Develop a consistent look and feel with cohesive colors, fonts, and messaging. Create a brand template! I reference mine all the time.
Craft a tagline or mission statement that reflects your values. This sounds cheesy, but trust me, you’ll use it.

Here is the course I went with to get myself started: UBC
Branding isn’t just about looking professional, it’s about creating a connection. People trust and follow brands that feel genuine and relatable.

Step 3: Choose Your Platforms Wisely

It’s tempting to try and conquer every social media platform, but focus on quality over quantity. This is where I went wrong at first… I was so eager to start that I signed up for every platform I could and it quickly became counterproductive because it created so much more work. Start with one or two platforms where your audience is most active.

Instagram is fantastic for visual storytelling and building a personal connection. Keep in mind, growth can be slow here.
TikTok works well for short, engaging content that goes viral.
Pinterest drives long-term traffic to your blog or website. This is my go-to!
Email marketing allows you to build direct relationships with your audience. YES! People think email marketing is dying, it’s not.

Step 4: Create Valuable Content

Digital marketing thrives on value. Your content should educate, entertain, or inspire your audience. Where people go wrong, they think that giving all the value possible will deter the customer away from the product they are selling.

More value = more sales.

Share tips, tutorials, and how-to guides related to your niche. This can be a printable, a video, a carousel, a story.
Be authentic and tell your story. Include your struggles and wins that will resonate more than “perfection.”
Use visuals, infographics, and videos to keep your content engaging.
Don’t assume people “already know.”

Consider creating a content calendar to stay consistent. Plan your posts around themes or upcoming events to stay relevant.

Step 5: Learn SEO and Analytics Basics

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for making your content discoverable. It’s quite literally the backbone of your online brand. Learn the basics, like keyword research, optimizing titles and descriptions, and writing engaging content. Pair that with tools like Google Analytics to track what’s working and refine your strategy. SEO is everywhere. Every search engine and social media post.
People often skip this step because they assume they can figure it out as they go… no.
Trust me, this is a step you will regret skipping over.

Step 6: Monetize Your Efforts

Once you’ve built an audience, monetization becomes a natural next step.

Start with affiliate marketing, promoting products you love and earning a commission. Even a percentage of a sale can add up quickly! I started with Amazon Associates, but there are endless options.
Offer digital products like eBooks, templates, or courses.
Build services around your skills, like coaching, social media management, or website design. This is where most of my revenue comes from.

The best digital marketers prioritize giving value first, with monetization being a byproduct of the trust they’ve built.

Step 7: Invest in Learning and Growth

Digital marketing is always evolving, and as algorithms change, staying ahead means committing to continuous learning. Courses, communities, and mentors can fast-track your journey. Look for resources that offer valuable strategies and step-by-step guidance on branding, funnel-building, and marketing. I can’t even begin to list all of the courses I’ve taken, the freebies I’ve downloaded and the videos I’ve watched. And not one second was a waste.

This is the course I started with.

The Secret Sauce

The truth about digital marketing? It’s not just about algorithms or strategies…it’s about the people and the community you build around you. Focus on serving your audience, solving their problems, and showing up consistently. The results will follow.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, remember that everyone’s journey is unique. Take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to invest in tools and resources that help you grow.

Starting digital marketing might feel like uncharted territory, but with the right mindset and resources, it’s a journey that can lead to incredible opportunities. Digital marketing has changed my life. Sounds dramatic, but it’s true. I felt stuck in my 9-5 and after having my first baby I knew there was no way I wanted to return to my job. That’s when I found digital marketing, took my first course (I still reference to this day cause they always add to it) and never looked back. Now, I’m a stay-at-home mom who creates her own schedule thanks to blogging and digital marketing.
The hardest part? Just starting.
There’s no perfect starting point. Just start, learn, and adapt as you go!
You’ve got this.

If you’re ready to take the next step and dive deeper into branding and marketing strategies, there are resources out there to guide you every step of the way.